Earthquake Preparedness Tips & Insights: April 2016

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Week 20 - EARTHQUAKE! - what DO you do?

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Speaker, Trainer,

Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

QUESTION: If there was an Earthquake right now – what do you do?

Imagine - all of a sudden the floor beneath your feet starts to shake - ever so slightly and with each passing moment the shaking intensifies. What would you do?

What would come crashing to the floor injuring you, your family and pets?

Would that unsecured bookcase overflowing with books crash to the ground injuring your family or pets?

Is there a table to Drop, Cover and Hold On under, a wall to crouch down beside so you can Drop, Cover and Hold On?

Go on – take a look around the room you are in. Determine what you would do right now if faced with an earthquake.

Knowing what to do must become 2^nd nature – after all many of us live in Earthquake Country. Drop! Cover! Hold On! is what will better protect you and your family during an Earthquake!

Canadian and US studies show that most injuries in an Earthquake happen from people doing the wrong thing. It’s human nature to want to flee to safety but often the ground is moving so violently you won’t be able to run or crawl anywhere.

If you are able to run or crawl that is when you have flying debris shooting across the room, tumbling bookcases and if caught in that situation it can certainly cause significant injuries to your family and pets.............or maybe even worse.

That is why it is SO important to practice what to do in an Earthquake.

Practice the “What If” game with your family – simply ask - What if there was an earthquake right now – what would I do?

Ummmmm – I don’t know, there is a desk over there, but there is too much stuff under it, there is a table across the room with glass - that won't work, the wall has a huge heavy picture or the shelves in this store go right to the ceiling – not sure what I would do.

When facing an Earthquake valuable time is lost running through this thought process of what to do. You will be better protected if you know immediately what to do when the earth starts to move.

Practicing what to do in an Earthquake in a variety of locations will save you valuable seconds and will help you take the best action to better protect yourself. You won’t be panicking thinking what do I do - because you have practiced it - you know what to do and what to look for when facing an earthquake.

Remember that old saying “Practice makes perfect – it certainly does when trying to protect yourself from an earthquake.

WE MUST ALL PRACTICE DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON!

What if I am inside?

Last week we talked about what to do inside your home, but what if you are inside a shopping mall. Try to go into the nearest store making sure you stay away from windows and heavy objects that can fall. If unable to move because the ground is moving so violently stay where you are and Drop, Cover and Hold On and protect yourself the best you can.

If you are at school, Drop Cover and Hold On under a desk or table and hold on till the shaking stops. Keep your back to the windows.

If you in a theatre or a stadium – stay in your seat and Drop Cover and Hold on the best you can. When the shaking has stopped follow the direction of staff.

What if I am Outside?

Stay outside and try to get to an open area away from buildings. Being close to a building may cause injury from falling debris.

If you are at a public event, try to move away from people so you don’t get trampled. Again, Drop, Cover and Hold on is your best protection. Watch for trees that may fall or power lines that could come down.

What if I am in my Car?

When safe to do so - pull over to the side of the road. Listen to your radio for updates on the Earthquake. Your location may be fine but there could be damage on the road ahead. Watch for fallen power lines – DO NOT get out of your car if there are downed lines close by and remember to stay at least 10 metres away to avoid injury. If possible get away from bridges, over passes or anything that could fall and injure you.

What if I am on Transit?

If you are on a bus stay on the bus. Drop Cover and Hold On in your seat. If you are not in a seat Drop, Cover and Hold On the best you can. The bus will likely pull over and will await direction until they know it’s safe to be on the road.

What if I am in an Elevator?

If you are in an elevator hit the button for every floor and get out as soon as you can. Take the emergency stairway to exit the building once the shaking has stopped.

What if I am in bed?

If you are in bed – stay in bed. Being in bed in an earthquake is a great place to be. We see far less injuries when earthquakes occur during the night. Make sure you don’t have heavy pictures hung above your bed that could fall and injure you. When the shaking has stopped get out of bed cautiously. There may be broken glass or broken objects on the floor. Great idea to keep a pair of sturdy shoes under your bed.

I could write another 10 pages of What to do if….. but I think by now it should be pretty clear.

You’re Task for Week #20

1. Practice Drop, Cover & Hold On – this must become second nature. This is what will better protect you and your family. Get under a heavy table or desk if close by, or go against an interior wall and Drop, Cover and Hold On and wait for the shaking to stop before making your next move.

2. Practice “What If” – as you go about your daily routine ask yourself – What if there was an Earthquake right now - what would I do? When faced with an Earthquake you won’t be panicking because you have practiced the drill. This could save your life.

Week 21 we will look at what to do after the Earthquake.

Have questions – don’t hesitate to ask. Until next week – Stay safe and make sure you, your family and pets are prepared for earthquake or any disaster that may come your way.

As Always BE PREPARED - NOT SCARED!

Jackie Kloosterboer - BIO

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year to a variety of groups and businesses. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Preparedness Specialist and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching people how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie to speak at your next group or business event to help you, your family, your staff and pets get prepared for earthquakes or whatever disaster comes your way. Jackie will lead you through the necessary steps helping you identify what is important to you and your family or business.

Contact Jackie with any questions or to book her for your next event at jackie@survive-it.ca or call (604) 355-2414

Jackie is available for:

Earthquake Preparedness Presentations

Preparedness Plans

In-Home Walk-Throughs

Preparedness Kits

Media Interviews

Thursday 7 April 2016

Week 19.5 - Pets - After the disaster - Where did they go?

Earthquake Preparedness!

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Speaker, Trainer,

Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide

QUESTION: Pet Preparedness – Is it necessary?

Be ready to make a poster of your lost pet

Each year I present hundreds of Earthquake Preparedness Workshops explaining to people that if they are prepared for an Earthquake they will be ready for any disaster that comes their way. Once again this important point has been proved:

Through Emergency Social Services (ESS) I respond to hundreds of house and apartment fires helping people and their pets who have been displaced by disaster. In British Columbia - ESS can often provide basic assistance for 72 hours helping those who have been impacted.

Arriving on scene at house and apartment fires we far too often see people who are NOT prepared for any sort of a disaster. They don't have supplies, they don't have insurance and often this is a choice they have made. If only they knew what a difference it would make if they had insurance, if they had a family emergency plan, if they had packed a Grab & Go Kit with basic supplies for each family member and for their pets. A Grab & Go Kit is a necessity after any disaster when you have to flee from your home.

Recently I arrived on scene at an apartment fire and after providing a briefing to the residents on what assistance could be provided. a lady came up to me. You could see the despair on her face. I knew something was troubling her.

We stepped away from the group and she told me how her cat was missing. When she had opened her apartment door to evacuate, her cat had bolted out the door and was nowhere to be found. Understandably she was worried sick her cat had been hit by a car or had not survived the fire - her cat was nowhere to be found.

Fortunately, her apartment was not one of the fire-damaged units. I explained to her that her cat was probably hiding and like her, he had gone through a terrifying experience – evacuating the apartment, the fire, the flashing lights and sirens, the noise and the commotion as the fire department did an amazing job of fighting the firre.

Over the years, I have been to many fires and have heard and seen this story time and time again. From my experience usually the cats that have run away will come back when things settle down.

Teaching people to prepare for Earthquakes I always encourage them to take photos of their pets, one of their pet alone and one of their pet with them in case they need to prove this is their pet.

I asked her if she had a photo of her cat and fortunately she did. Susan – if you email me the picture I will make a "Lost Cat" poster for you and you can post it around the n’hood. She was thrilled. I quickly put together a lost cat poster and Susan posted it in her n’hood.

Susan had also received some advice from a friend who told her to shake a bag of treats and maybe the cat would come back. He suggested she do this when all was quiet. Susan followed the suggestion and to her surprise a big raccoon poked his head around the corner. He wanted the treat that was being offered.

Never know who will show up when you shake the treat bag

It was a long night for Susan waiting for her cat to come back.

At 6:18 the next morning I opened my email and noticed an email from Susan had just been delivered. I quickly opened it up. “My cat has come back” was written in bold. I could imagine how thrilled she was to have her cat back home. It’s always scary when a pet goes missing.

This is truly a happy ending story – we all wanted the cat to come back – but even more importantly this story shows the importance of being prepared. Having a photo of her pet she was able to get a poster up quickly – she did not have access to her apartment for several hours so there was no going in to get a photo.

...........and the cat came back!

She was prepared. No - the lost cat poster in this case did not bring her cat back – but it could have helped, had the cat not come back. In a disaster of any kind we never know what we will be faced with. We all need to be prepared!

You’re Task for Week #19.5
Take a photo of your pet alone and a photo with you and your family.
Print a copy for your Grab & Go Kit and keep a photo of your pet on your phone or tablet.
Prepare a Grab & Go Kit for you pet with all the items he/she will need if evacuated.
In your Home Earthquake Kit include supplies that your pet will need.

_____________________________________________

Week 20 we will look at what to do in certain situations facing an earthquake.

Have questions – don’t hesitate to ask. Until next week – Stay safe and make sure you, your family and pets are prepared for earthquakes or any disaster that may come your way.